Patient-reported pregnancy loss and maternal complications: Insights from the sickle cell disease implementation consortium

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with complications during pregnancy and can negatively influence maternal outcomes. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of maternal morbidity among participants enrolled in an eight-site SCD Implementation Consortium (SCDIC) registry. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of female registry participants, aged 15-45 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of SCD. Participants completed a survey of self-reported pregnancies and outcomes. Seven hundred and thirty-eight individuals had at least one pregnancy event, with 1076 live births. Twenty percent reported a pregnancy loss or fetal demise. Of the 1076 live births, 75% involved at least one complication. The most prevalent complications were pain crises (61.1%) and pregnancy requiring blood transfusion(s) (33.0%). Multiparous individuals with a prior occurrence of a complication in a previous pregnancy had higher odds of recurrence of the same complication in subsequent pregnancies (i.e., previous acute crisis was associated with subsequent acute pain events odds ratio [OR]: 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.06-4.76) and prior transfusion requiring another transfusion (OR: 3.22; 95% CI: 2.01-5.16). Individuals reported a high prevalence of pregnancy loss and maternal complications. Our findings underscore the importance of preconception counseling and early initiation of perinatal care in SCD.